Regional Youth Justice Services proving positive

The Department of Corrective Services was allocated $40 million in funding in 2010 to expand the service in Western Australia's north.

The services aim to divert minors away from the justice system.

Last year, the services began in the West Kimberley in January, the East Kimberley in April and the Pilbara in July.

Mr Redman says, across the three areas, the number of young people sentenced to detention has dropped by just over 18 per cent.

"We are seeing the courts having a greater propensity to put people into these services rather than to put them into detention, which is very pleasing, which means police and other services are supporting the program which is pleasing to see at this stage," he said.

Mr Redman says, although the services have only been operating for a short time, the results are looking good.

"The figures look very promising - distinct young persons admitted and remanded to custody for example from those three areas has decreased by 16 per cent, distinct young people sentenced to detention has also dropped by just over 18 per cent," he said.